The Panther

Newsletter Date:

October 1, 2023

Want to stay informed with what is happening at Patrick Henry all year? The PHMS PTO is selling wall calendars for the 2023-2024 school year! The goal of the calendar is to help inform families of all the amazing opportunities happening throughout the year. Each calendar is $15. The proceeds will be used to support the students and staff at Patrick Henry. PTO funds support the Panther Caring Closet, Panther Party, Staff Appreciation Week, Student Recognition, 8th Grade Party, dinner for the staff during conferences. Calendars are available for sale in the PHMS Office.

Please email patrickhenrypantherspto@gmail.com with any questions.

A special thank you to our calendar Sponsors: Baker Audiology, Brady Martz, Britza Performing Arts Studio, Central Bank, North Central Heart, Valvoline Instant Oil Change

We hope our PHMS families are doing well and are settling into the routines of the new school year! It is hard to believe that our first parent-teacher conferences are just around the corner! We look forward to this time set aside each school year to connect with families and discuss student progress. You should have received an email from your student's teacher regarding the details of fall conferences.

As we prepare for conferences on October 3rd and 5th, we wanted to remind everyone that last year all middle schools changed to a semester grading format from a quarter format. This means that students receive a final grade for their coursework at the end of the semester. Throughout the semester students will receive “progress grades” that will be reported during conferences and can be found on Infinite Campus. Please note that grades currently being reported are a “snapshot in time” grade. This means that we want students to continue to grow their academic skills and show academic growth towards mastery. The “final” grade will not appear on a report card until the end of each semester.

Student progress is reported in two categories: content standards and learning behaviors. The content standards will be reported with a letter grade. The learning behaviors will be reported with a score of 1-4 (1-needs improvement, 2 - approaching expectations, 3- meeting expectations, and 4- exceeding expectations). Middle school years are a time for developing soft skills that will become increasingly valuable as students transition through high school and into adult life. The learning behaviors reported on are: engagement, group communication and collaboration, independent practice, and responsibility. Teachers in the Sioux Falls School District use the instructional opportunities within their day to model, discuss, and practice skills that lead to personal growth. Please note that teachers continually conduct ongoing evaluation of learning and use various means to assess progress, both formal and informal.

Please continue to monitor Infinite Campus for ongoing feedback regarding your students’ academic and learning behavior progress. Please contact your student’s teacher with questions regarding grading or learning behaviors.

We look forward to seeing everyone at conferences!

Mrs. Sharping

Parent-Teacher Conferences are a time to connect and discuss student progress! We look forward to meeting with families this week! Conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 3rd and Thursday, October 5th from 4:30 - 8:00 p.m. All families should have received an email from the Pro-Time Teacher to schedule a time. If you have not received an email, please contact the school office. All encore teachers will also be available to conferences in their classrooms.

Please note, some of our teachers are shared with other schools and will be splitting their time for parent-teacher conferences. Below is a list of part-time staff and when they will be available to meet with PHMS families:

Band: Mr. Anderson, Mr. Semansky and Mrs. Gage - 10/3 and 10/05

Orchestra: Mrs. Cooper - 10/3 and Mrs. Larson 10/5

Chorus and Humanities: Mrs. Stadem -10/3 until 6pm, 10/5

Native American Connections: Mr. Easter - 10/3

Art: Ms. Brunmaier - 10/5

ELD: Ms. Schumaker - 10/5

Positive Student Interaction: Mr. Parry - 10/3

Reading: Ms. Kayl -10/3 and 10/5 until 7pm

Reading: Mrs. Hall -10/3 until 6pm and 10/5

Forms Needed to Participate in Athletics

Complete the Activity Participation Packet. This needs to be completed prior to each school year.

Complete the Preparticipation Physical Evaluation Form.

• Your student will need a Preparticipation Physical Evaluation dated after April 1st of Students 5th Grade year and prior to participation.

• This paper copy needs to be turned into the school office and it is valid through the end of students 8th grade school year.

Note: Your student will not be able to practice without these two required forms being completed

If you have any type of barrier or cannot afford a student physical, see me tonight.

Athletes must have insurance to participate.

For further information such as practice schedules, game schedules, sign ups, as well as what sports are offered at Patrick Henry, please go the athletics website by clicking here.

If you have any questions, please email me at Jameson.Clarke@k12.sd.us

Now you can complete your Back to School List in one place, before you arrive at Panther Preview!

Visit https://phmspanthers.ptboard.com/

PTBoard - Patrick Henry Middle School PTO

• Order Spirit Wear
• Order a Yearbook
• Order Chromebook Insurance
• Order School Pictures
• Apply for Free and Reduced Lunch
• Add Money to Lunch Accounts
• Review Bus Boundaries
• Read the PHMS Newsletter

PTO is currently seeking leadership for

Fundraising/Calendar Chair

Staff Appreciation Co-Chairs

8th Grade Party

Please let us know if you would like to get involved! Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 18th from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. at PHMS. All are invited!

Tracy Weiss and Amber Edelen, Co-Presidents

patrickhenrypantherspto@gmail.com

We have three fantastic school counselors at Patrick Henry! Please click on the "Counselor Corner" button below to view the counselor's newsletter for this month that houses many helpful resources, social, emotional learning information and much more. This information is provided to help both students and parents navigate the middle school years!

Mrs. Briana Nelsen - 6th Grade

Mrs. Chelsea Timm - 7th Grade

Ms. Hannah Serck - 8th Grade

You can also access the counseling website by clicking the link right next to our counseling phone number!

Website: https://sites.google.com/k12.sd.us/phms-counseling/home
Phone: (605) 367-8443

All incoming 6th grade students, and any student enrolling in SFSD for the first time, must be up to date on vaccinations before the first day of school. Please see the attached document for the required vaccines.

Please see the attached flyer regarding the upcoming Flu Shot Clinic at Patrick Henry.

Lunch and breakfast are available each day at school. If you believe your family may qualify for free or reduced lunch/breakfast, please click on the link below or scan the QR code to fill out the application. https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application

If your child is going to be absent, please call the school (367-7639) prior to 8:40am. An absence must be reported either by note or phone in the day of the absence, or before if you know ahead of time. Absences can also be reported via voicemail outside of regular office hours. Students leaving during the day need to pick up a pass in the office by 9:00am and also check out with a parent/guardian at the office when leaving. If they come back during the school day, a pass from the front office needs to be issued in order for them to get back into the classroom.

After attendance is taken each morning, an automated call will go out to any family who has not notified the school regarding a student’s absence. Student safety is the main concern and this procedure provides another check on a student’s absence.

By Dr. Jane Stavem, Superintendent

As a public school district, we frequently highlight our strong collaborations with local businesses and non-profit organizations, which contribute significantly to enriching the educational experiences of our students.

Sioux Falls consistently supports various initiatives, from essential school supply drives to vital winter gear collections and providing internship experiences and on-the-job training. These invaluable partnerships underscore the collective strength of our community.

However, the most profound and influential partnership we cherish is the one more intimately connected to each of the 25,000 students we proudly serve - the partnership with you, the parents or guardians.

The impact is transformative when schools and parents/guardians/caregivers align their efforts, working in tandem to invest in a child's life. This collaborative spirit boosts a child's confidence in their academic pursuits and nurtures essential life skills. The supportive synergy between school and home environments effectively alleviates stress and anxiety, creating a positive atmosphere for students to engage wholeheartedly in their educational journey.

Fall and spring school conferences offer a prime opportunity to invest in your child's education. By actively participating in parent-teacher conferences, you send a compelling message to your child, demonstrating your unwavering commitment to their education.

Your attendance serves as an inspiration for your child to prioritize their own educational goals. This simple act enables you to engage with teachers, gain a deeper understanding of your child's learning journey, and reinforce the expectation that your child shows up and participates actively in their education.

Conferences are an ideal time for schools and parents to foster and reinforce lines of communication crucial for helping students set meaningful goals, address concerns, and track progress throughout the academic year.

Establishing these connections early in the year allows everyone to promptly and effectively address academic or emotional challenges, giving students the necessary support and time to regain their footing. If the designated conference date and time pose any inconvenience, please feel free to contact your child’s school to schedule an alternative meeting. Your partnership holds great importance, not only to us but, most importantly, to your child.

Parent and school partnerships serve as a powerful testament to the intrinsic value of education. Your child's teacher looks forward to the opportunity to meet with you. I hope you will take advantage of their invitation to visit the school and explore how you can actively support your child's learning journey. If the designated conference date and time pose any inconvenience, please feel free to contact your child’s school to schedule an alternative meeting. Your partnership holds great importance, not only to us but, most importantly, to your child.

Website: http://www.sf.k12.sd.us/patrick-henry/students-parents
Location: 2200 South 5th Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: 605-367-7639
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PanthersSF
Twitter: @PanthersSF